UConn named among 100 best campuses in new college guide for gay students

by Karen A. Grava - August 28, 2006

UConn has been recognized as one of the 100 best campuses for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender students (LGBT).

It will be included in The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, the first comprehensive campus guide highlighting the 100 most LGBT-friendly campuses in the United States.

UConn's positive environment, programs and services, and student organizations earned the University a place in the guide.

"We are very proud that our campus was selected and recognized," said Stephanie Marnin, director of the University of Connecticut's Rainbow Center.

"Our campus community has worked hard to create a positive environment for all of our students and this recognition emphasizes the importance of providing support that meets the needs of all of our students, faculty and staff, including LGBT students."

The University's Rainbow Center offers a wide range of programs and services, including a lunch-time academic lecture series, Out to Lunch; weekly coffee houses; and a monthly music series, Out Loud Music.

The Rainbow Center also provides resources to the University community through a speakers' bureau, educational workshops, an extensive book and DVD collection, and collaboration and consultation with departments and units across campus.

The guide, released earlier this month, profiles 100 colleges and universities from across the country that offer resources and create a positive living and learning environment for LGBT students.

Campus PrideNet, with support from a team of LGBT professionals from the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education developed the criteria and a questionnaire for nominations to gather feedback from LGBT students, faculty and staff regarding their personal experiences and opinions about their campus.

Campus PrideNet is the leading national organization for LGBT and ally student leaders,

Nominations were received from 680 campuses, and more than 5,500 online interviews were conducted.

One hundred campuses were selected for the book, based on institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts.

The list of 100 is broken down in multiple indexes, such as region, state, type of institution and size.

"The top 100 colleges and universities profiled in The Advocate College Guide lead the way for the rest of higher education to be LGBT-friendly," said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus PrideNet and author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students. "These campuses take to heart the value of supporting all students."

For more information about Campus PrideNet or to order a copy of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, visit www.campuspride.net